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Posted on: January 14, 2014

Council Briefs for January 13, 2014

A committee from the 2014 Banff/Canmore Alberta Winter Games spoke to council as a delegation, giving an update on their finances, the games’ schedule and volunteer requirements. Games chair Bob Ellard said despite some early challenges gathering donations, they were doing well financially, and expected to provide a financial legacy to both Banff and Canmore following the games. The Town of Banff contributed $150,000 over three years to the winter games. Events will begin February 6 with an opening ceremony on Banff Avenue that will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. A torch relay will begin earlier that day at the Canmore Civic Centre and end in Banff with the lighting of a cauldron. Ellard said while they have some volunteers already, they need more and encouraged anyone interested in helping out to visit their website, http://www.2014awg.ca for more information and to register.

Council voted to give further consideration to a proposed rickshaw tour service at 211 Bear Street. Rickshaw services are not currently permitted in the Traffic Bylaw or Land Use Bylaw, but following a proposal submitted by resident Miles Kennedy, council asked administration to compile a report with a draft of the required bylaw amendments that would allow for the service. No timeframe was given on when the draft changes could be expected.

Council voted to draft a letter to Robin Campbell, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, to ask that Banff be included in the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP). The purpose of the plan is to establish a long-term vision for the region while providing guidance to provincial and local decision-makers regarding land-use management, but currently both the Town of Banff and Banff National Park are excluded from the plan. Mayor Karen Sorensen recently attended an SSRP meeting and lobbied for Banff to be included in the document, but she said that a formal letter to the minister should also be submitted.